Rimnerel: I really don't have much to say...wait, I do. The last book of
Fake has to be my favorite endings of all!
Johnny (rolling his eyes): Only because—(Rim clamps a hand over his mouth)
Rimnerel: Don't ruin it for the people that haven't read the last book yet! Okay, now where am I going with this one?
Tala: Back to Kenny and I perhaps?
Rimnerel: Oh yeah, right. Let's see, thanks to FREAK014, B. Tiamat Atardecer, russle, The-Dark-Fire-Elf, and HogoshaNoFumetsu for all your reviews. And sorry for making a certain someone choke on sandwiches, it wasn't my intention to do so.
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Kenny turned over on his side, watching as the male beside him fought to catch his breath. Kenny propped himself up on one elbow, looking into the male's flushed face. Tala turned his eyes to the male beside him, a smirk twitching in the corners of his mouth. The brunette allowed himself to be drawn closer once more, this time, only for a light kiss. When he pulled back, he brushed the damp strands of hair from the male's face.
"I think you overdid it," Kenny whispered.
"So," came a breathless reply.
"You're impossible," Kenny laughed, falling back to the pillows he was laying on earlier. His eyes went to the ceiling, staring it for a long time, thinking about what went on between them. Tala had been right, at first it had hurt, but eventually, because he trusted Tala, everything became better. Leading to...well...the lost of Kenny's virginity.
"What are you thinking about?" Tala finally said after catching his breath, propping himself up to look down at Kenny. His hand played in the damp brunette strands.
"A lot of things," Kenny replied.
"Like my sexual prowess in bed," Tala teased, leaning in to kiss Kenny's neck once more.
"Haven't you had enough yet?" Kenny inquired.
"Enough? What's that?" Tala grinned.
"You're trying to kill me aren't you?" Kenny exclaimed, though not bothering to push the male away from him.
"What? We've only done it three times by now," Tala said simply. "What's one more time to make things even?"
"You're crazy!"
"You make me this way," Tala stated, beginning to move his hand under the cover.
"I have to get home before they start sending hounds out to look for me," Kenny said, moving from out of the bed.
"You don't have to go back just yet. You could tell them you're staying over a friend's house. I'm sure they wouldn't mind," Tala murmured, trying to pull the male back in bed with him. Kenny playfully swatted the red head's hand away.
"I still have to eat and take a shower," Kenny protested. "I promise that we can do it again tomorrow. Now stop holding me hostage and let me leave." Kenny picked up his clothing from the floor, beginning to put it on. Tala flopped back down on the pillows. "And don't try to make me feel guilty because I don't."
"You really are heartless when you want to be, aren't you?" Tala joked, running his hand through his damp hair.
"No, I'm sensible. If I let you have your way all the time, I think I would be permanently tied to that bed where you could do what you want to me for as long as you could," Kenny smiled.
"Maybe," Tala thought. "Doesn't sound like too bad a deal."
"See. I'm going home now." Once Kenny was finished dressing, he went back over to the bed, leaning down and kissing the male. Only to have Tala pull him back down to the bed, kissing him passionately. If it weren't for the fact that there was a knock on the door, Tala would have probably stripped the male of his clothing and screwed him one more good time.
Kenny pulled back just as Doctor Tate walked in the room, stopping once she saw that the two young men were...well...with the sight of the clothing strewed all over the floor, the slightly rose tint on both male's skin, and Tala's hand reaching for the male's pants' zipper, they were either about to do something or had just finished. The woman suspected both theories. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"In fact Judy I was just about ready to—"Tala started.
"Tell me good-bye so I can go home," Kenny interrupted the sentence, moving from the bed. "I will see you tomorrow Tala."
"Fine, fine," Tala sighed, laying back down on the pillows. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Kenny left the room, followed by Doctor Tate. "Kenny, do you have a moment before you go home?" She needed to know something. The young man's answer would depend on whether or not Tala was really changing.
"I'm in no hurry, do you need something ma'am?" Kenny inquired, turning his eyes to look at her.
"You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Judy," she said with a smile.
"All right then, Judy."
"Kenny, I don't mean to be nosy but...did you and Tala?" Judy gave the young man a meaningful look when addressing the subject.
"We did," Kenny said.
"Was he rough with you?" she questioned.
"No. He told me that it would hurt for a bit, but he made sure that the pain eased. I felt really comfortable with him doing it. Are you implying that he might have raped me, or something close to that?" Kenny tilted his head to the side, thinking about it. Did Tala really have that bad a reputation that he was supposedly capable of raping someone?
"No, I'm not saying that he would rape you. I'm sure that he likes you a lot. He would never do anything like that, but sometimes he doesn't realize that he does things that could cause other people pain. He's grown up with so little empathy in his life that it's just natural to do things that he likes despite what other's feel about it. He's not a bad person don't think that because of what I just said. He's just a bit misguided," Judy smiled, hoping she didn't scare off the young man.
"I know. He's so much more than people think of him," Kenny voiced. "I sometimes look at him and wonder how people could have such a low opinion about him. I'm sure if they got passed the act he puts on, then they would really see what's there."
"You're right," Judy agreed. "But I doubt that they would."
"Can you answer me something, Judy?"
"What is it, Kenny?"
"My aunt told me that he and Kai went to a psychiatrist when they were younger, but they did something to make the psychiatrist quit. By chance, since you seem to hold no discrimination against them, were you their psychiatrist?" He looked up at the woman that smiled for a long minute before nodding.
"Yes, I was. I tried helping them as much as I possibly could, but there wasn't much I could do. I was still young and a bit experience when I got them. They were my first patients. If only I had stuck it out with them, I suppose I could have made more of a difference, but...when you have kids that play Russian roulette with a gun you only find out after nearly having a heart attack has no bullets, you would probably be like me."
"They did that?"
"Tala did. He was such a bright kid, but then...he was only a kid who did things that seemed...well, things kids could get away with. He had no idea that he would drive away those that he trusted," Judy sighed. "He hasn't told you any of this, has he?"
"No. I tried asking him about his past, but he told me that why do I need to know something that isn't important. He asked me whether or not that's the only way I could love him," Kenny stated.
"He used love?" The woman was surprised. In all of the time she has known Tala, she's never heard the male mention ever loving anyone, not even his own parents. It was a breakthrough, if he had in fact used the word.
"I suppose he's never said that about anyone? Not even when he talked about his parents? My aunt told me that they died when he was younger. Was he upset by their passing?"
"He didn't tell you anything about his family. It doesn't surprise me so much. If he is indeed falling in love with you, then that means that he will be less likely to tell you the truth. I should let him build up the courage to tell you. If you hear it from me, then it's not going to be worth much. He has to get over his own hill without my help," Judy remarked, crossing her arms.
"But there's still a possibility that he won't tell me ever, isn't there?" Kenny knew that the woman was counting on Tala making up his mind about his past, but he may never.
"Yes, but maybe you can change his heart. Open it back up. You should get home now before it gets dark," Judy advised. "And remember, no matter what you discover or don't, you should blame yourself for him not opening up. It takes time."
"I understand. I don't think I will forget that there are more important things than the past and knowing it. You always have memories of the present that will one day become the past, and the memories that you never found out, can be replaced by the memories that you made," Kenny grinned, heading out the door. The woman blinked, thinking about what he just said. She had a feeling that he would in fact open Tala's heart up.
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Tyson arched his back as something close to Kai's name came out his mouth, before it was muffled when Kai pressed his lips against the blue haired male's lips. With one last push, Kai went over that ledge with the male. Breaking the kiss to scream out Tyson's name before both collapsed into the grass, their breathing irregular. Tyson's arms were wrapped around Kai's neck, while the male lay against Tyson's shoulder. After a moment, Kai slid off the male, falling into the grass next to Tyson.
A light wind swept over their sweat coated, naked bodies. Minutes ticked away, before either decided to move. Tyson sat up, looking over at the water they were no more than a few yards away from. He closed his eyes, letting the wind caress his overheated body, cooling the flush from his skin.
"Tyson," Kai said, sitting up. The younger opened his eyes, staring over at the male with dual hair. Damn, he still looked sexy as hell no matter what. "Well?" The all too familiar wolfish smirk that Kai displayed rose to his lips.
"Well what?" Tyson said with a smile of his own.
"You know what I'm talking about," Kai said.
"No I don't," Tyson chimed playfully. "I think I'm suffering from a memory lost. What is it that I'm suppose to be addressing?"
"Okay you little smart ass, since you want to be like that," Kai said, pulling Tyson back into the grass and climbing over him. Tyson squeaked, as Kai pulled his legs up to his waist.
"What do you think you're doing, Kai?" Tyson flushed.
"I'm going to get a response out of you about how great a lover I am," Kai said. "You know, I have another round of battle in me."
"How can you? We just finished!" Tyson said, trying to pull away from the male.
"That's right, fight me love slave," Kai grinned wickedly, leaning in, brushing his lips against Tyson's. The male under him wiggled a bit before he succumbed to Kai's kiss. A hand brushed its way down Tyson's chest, down past his navel, to the inner warmth of his thighs.
"Kai," Tyson gasped, breaking the kiss.
"Are you going to say it, or will I have to make you scream my name again?" Kai murmured huskily. "You know I can do it. So what's it going to be lover?"
"Fine, if it means that I'm not going to be out here all night, you're the best in the world. Happy now?" Tyson said.
"And?" Kai said, stroking Tyson's thighs more.
"Mmm...and no one will ever be able to do what you can," Tyson said, closing his eyes as Kai licked the sweat from his neck and chest.
"And? Tell me what I really want to hear Tyson. Tell me that you're mine and mine alone," Kai whispered.
"I'm yours Kai," Tyson said. "I don't think I could forget you ever. Not now, not while I'm here with you like this. As long as you will be here for me, I will always be yours."
"Good, because I will never let you go," Kai said, moving from over Tyson to walk towards the water. "Now come on. It's getting late, we have time for a quick swim before I have to return you."
"Fine! I don't care if you don't want me to stay with you," Tyson said, getting up with a slight flush on his cheeks at the remark. Kai looked back at him, giving him another one of his killer stares. "Not like I really want to stay out here and let you tire me out anyway."
"Tire you out? I was the one doing all the work you little smart ass," Kai said, pulling Tyson towards the water and pushing him in. But not before Tyson grabbed his leg, causing him to fall in also. Both sunk momentarily before breaking to the surface. Tyson laughed as Kai glared at him only five percent mad at the male.
"Ha! That's what you get for saying that about me!" Tyson laughed, not realizing that Kai was looming in on him, until he was dunked under the water, then brought back up.
"Now what was that?" Kai inquired.
"That's not fair!"
"Was it supposed to be?" Kai said, wrapping his arms around Tyson, who was pouting. "You know you started this, so deal with it." Kai tried place a kiss on Tyson's lips, but the male turned his face away. "And now you're mad with me, typical."
"What's that suppose to—"Tyson turned his face back to Kai, only to have Kai kiss him. Tyson allowed, not really mad with the male, it was just sort of strange to be so carefree with the male. When Kai pulled back, Tyson stared up into those auburn eyes that flickered with happiness. "Kai..."
"Something wrong?" Kai noticed the change on Tyson's face, wondering what it was that the younger was thinking of.
"I just realized something," Tyson said.
"Which is?"
"You're completely different than what I'm use to. You're not sarcastic unless you're being playful, or you're not as intensely flirty as I'm use to. Nor are your eyes the same. Right now, it's like you're a whole new you that I'm with. Not the male that I'm so use to fighting or arguing with. What is it?" Tyson searched Kai's eyes, not sure what he was looking for.
"I'm different, huh?" Kai placed his forehead to Tyson's, closing his eyes with a short smile. "That's because I can finally let down my guard. I don't have to be aware of how I want to be around you because I now have your love. I can drop the act, because I'm not afraid anymore."
"Afraid? Of what?" Tyson inquired.
"You rejecting my true feelings for you. I've loved you for so long that I didn't know if you could love me in return. So, I bottled it away, the fear that loving you caused. That burning uncertainty and vulnerability you caused me to have when I was around you."
"Kai..." Tyson had no idea that Kai was...well, like anyone else. So, that bad boy image Tyson always saw was an act he put on so he could find out the truth, but eventually, it became too much for him, and he showed the true colors that Kai Hiwatari held. "I...didn't know..."
"No one knew. Not even Tala. He just thought I was playing around. Maybe for a while I did try to do that, but I could never forget how much I loved and admired you."
"You admired me?" Tyson was inspired. Never would he dream of the day that Kai would say he admired Tyson. There was always a small part of Tyson that admired the older boy, but this was news to him.
"Yes. You could draw people to you with a smile or a few words. You never hesitated in speaking your mind, and people liked you for it. Everyone loved you, and flocked to you naturally. There was a time I wanted to be just like you. To have them look at me with smiles, wanting to be around me." Kai's voice became thick, aware that he couldn't stop his words now.
"Kai?" Pulling back just a little, Tyson saw the tears from those closed eyes. Running down, gathering under his chin and falling. The dual haired male open his eyes, looking so painfully into the eyes of the one that he loved.
"I wanted my parents to love me like yours did. To notice me, to acknowledge me, just not to ignore me like this world has done for so long. I wanted to be loved so much that I started to grow bitter inside. I didn't care about anything, I could have died and no one would have cried."
"I'm here now, Kai," Tyson responded, reaching up, wiping away the tears. "I won't leave you. I promise I won't."
"Tyson." Kai allowed himself to be drawn into the younger male's arms. For the first time in maybe years since Tala's parents died, he felt that everything would be all right. Once he and Tala were able to leave this place, maybe things would straighten themselves out. He could always go visit Tyson since the male lived in a city now. On weekends he could spend them with Tyson until the male graduated, then he could be with Tyson more. Things could work, they really could.
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"Kenny, have you seen Tyson?" Emily asked coming in the room as Kenny finished dressing from his shower.
"No, I haven't seen him since this morning," Kenny said. "He hasn't come back yet? I thought he left with you, Mariah, Max, and Johnny this morning to pick out a present for Jordan."
"Well, he was with us for a while. Then he left, something about going to pick something up," Emily remarked. "Which was probably you."
"Don't look at me, I haven't seen him. He'll show up."
"So, what did you do today with that guy?" Emily folded her arms across her chest, a frown forming.
"You know, he isn't as bad as you think," Kenny announced.
"I still don't trust him. He caused so much trouble when we were younger. Just watch out for yourself. You're my cousin I don't want anything happening to you. Your heart is much too kind to be broken by a creep like that," Emily sighed.
"What do you mean—?"
"I heard you and Tyson talking one day when I was passing to go to bed. I didn't want to say anything about it, but I really want you to be careful. I mean, if you're going to explore your sexuality like this," Emily advised. "Anyway, a girl can spot a gay guy a mile away."
"That is so stereotypical," Kenny shook his head.
"Well it's true," Emily stated.
"Then you must have noticed Tyson by now also," Kenny smirked.
"What do you mean notice Tyson?"
"Since you can spot a gay guy a mile away, then you must have noticed that Tyson's sensors are blinking in the direction of my current interest's cousin's direction," Kenny simpered. "Wouldn't surprise me if that's who he's with now."
"You aren't serious!" Emily exclaimed.
"Why aren't I? I know for a fact that Kai's already kissed him."
"Okay, this is just pass my level of comprehension right now. I know that he was upset that Mariah picked Lee, but...he wasn't really that desperate to go after Kai! Next I'm going to find out that Ian's gay too."
"He's too annoying to be gay," came a voice that was walking into the room. Both Emily and Kenny turned their glances to find Tyson walking in the room. His hair was wet, while his clothes were just a bit grassy.
"Tyson Granger, where have you been?" Emily demanded.
"Swimming," Tyson remarked.
"Don't lie to me!"
"What are you my mother now? If you haven't noticed, she's dead. Anyway, why would I lie about going swimming? Don't you notice my hair's wet?" Tyson said, flopping down on his bed, but then decided to switch positions so he was on his stomach. "They haven't called for dinner yet have they?"
"No, mother and Aunt Atsuko went somewhere, they said that they would bring some food back when they returned. They took Ian with them, which leaves just us three for the time being," Emily said.
"Oh, that's even better," grinned Tyson.
"Okay, now fess up! Kenny just told me that you liked Kai Hiwatari. Is it true or not? You really aren't 'that' desperate to forget about Mariah are you?" Emily exclaimed.
"What do you mean 'that' desperate to like Kai?" Tyson's voice held a note of anger at the fact that his cousin was stating his boyfriend was the bottom of the barrel. For a second Tyson flushed, realizing what he just thought. Was Kai his boyfriend now? Well...he certainly didn't want just to have sex with Kai. For the first time in his life, he was seeing Kai in a different light.
"This is Kai Hiwatari we're talking about. He gets a hard-on at anything with two legs. You obviously can't expect his feelings to be different. He's been trying to get in your pants for years now. You're just only going to get your heart broken over the bigger creep than Tala."
"Hey!" Kenny interrupted.
"What? You guys are hopeless falling for jerks like them."
"Kenny..." Tyson said.
"Yeah, Tyson?" Kenny replied.
"I think I understand what you mean now. And currently, I'm taking great offense to what's she's saying. Think we should kick her out?" Tyson questioned.
"We could, or ignore her," Kenny suggested.
"Or both."
"That sounds like a plan."
"Hey, don't get mad with me! I'm just stating the truth. But if you two want to look like fools, then be my guests. I'll leave, just don't come to me cause I'm going to say I told you so and kick you both out my room," Emily huffed, leaving the room. Tyson turned his eyes on Kenny.
"Can I say something?"
"Go ahead," Kenny said.
"If I come pick you up again, and I hear that bed creaking one more time, I'm never going to be able to sleep again. I still can't get the images of what he was probably doing to you out of my head," Tyson shuddered. "Maybe it was a good thing Kai was there to stop me before I went in the room and went blind."
"You..." Kenny flushed.
"Please, don't say it. I'm having a hard enough time keeping the sounds from coming back," Tyson gagged.
"Did Kai help you with that problem?" A sly smile came to Kenny's face, seeing the flush that came to Tyson's face. "I had a feeling. So we're even on that level."
"I still don't like Tala just because I'm with Kai now. Though...I think...there's more to him. I saw a side of Kai today that I never knew. You were right, for so long I've been looking out of just one window. He told me some stuff about how his parents weren't there for him and that Tala's been the only person he's ever relied on, until now, with me. I never knew some of the stuff he told me, it just...blew my mind. Has Tala told you anything about himself?"
"No. He hasn't," Kenny said.
"You got the difficult cousin. The only way that idiot would tell anyone anything is if he had no choice," Tyson scoffed. "You would think he would be as sweet as Kai is, but he really is a demon."
"Tyson, I learned something today about him that I didn't know. He didn't tell me, Aunt Hikari told me, and Max's mother." Kenny stared at the wall as he sat back in his chair.
"Really? What was it?" Tyson noticed Kenny's eyes seemed distant, as if thinking of something. "Chief? What did you find out?"
"His parents died when he was six. No one in town knows what happened because the funeral was somewhere else. After his parents died, he and Kai began seeing the town's psychiatrist, which was Max's mom," Kenny spoke quietly.
"They're the reason Mrs. Tate decided to become a doctor. Man, that is serious."
"She told me that Tala might open up to me eventually. And he might not. I think he's afraid of letting people in. There's more to him than what I'm able to see. Like maybe his whole childhood kills his spirit when he mentions it. And you know how he broke his ribs. He told me that his uncle got mad with him and did it. He never told me why, but there was so much pain in his eyes over it." Silence settled between the two as each thought of what to say.
"So, he has skeletons in his closet that won't stay there," Tyson finally commented. "Well, if anyone can make that idiot open up, it's you. He's already beginning to trust you. I doubt he tells anyone other than Kai anything. And even though I don't like him, I can tell how much he likes you too. So...just be patient, we still have time before summer is over."
"You think it's going to be that easy?" Kenny inquired.
"Well...you still have almost a full month, I'm sure things will be fine. So just relax and enjoy what you have now," Tyson grinned.
"Well, seems someone getting some has enlightened them to the utmost," Kenny teased. "You're growing up Tyson, congratulations. Wait until I tell Kain and Rei about your awakening."
"Oh, wait until they find out you lost your virginity to a guy. Kain is going to flip out of his mind," Tyson smirked.
"Oh, I don't think he's going to have too much to tease me about, because I have an abundant amount of data on him and his new little hobby." Kenny's mind went back to Kain's confessions about what he and Rei.
"What do you mean Kain's new hobby? You mean he has a girlfriend!" Tyson sat up, gaping at his cousin. "I thought he said he was never going to get a girlfriend, only date as many girls as he could!"
"Oh, Kain didn't get a girlfriend, the opposite of that actually," grinned Kenny.
"He got a boyfriend! Dude, is this just the year of everyone turning gay? First Max and Zeo, then you, then me, now him, so who's the unlucky guy? I know that him and Michael have this big rivalry, did it turn into something more?" Tyson demanded. "Or was it that blond boy that hung around you guys?"
"Blond? No, this person isn't blond. In fact, you know them very well."
"I do?"
"Someone that you're always talking about," Kenny simpered.
"No way...you can't mean...Rei! Kain and Rei! That's just...damn...well I'll be damn, I didn't think those two would like each other. Well, I guess they won't have a problem with it then. Moving on, is there anyone else that's recently turned gay?" Tyson said, shaking his head.
"If I find out, you'll be the first to know." The two stared at each other then burst into laughter. This was indeed a very strange summer they found themselves in. How could it get any weirder than this?
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[July 11, 1999]
[Only ten minutes before I'm dragged to Jordan's birthday party. Yes, I know, I may have broken her heart, but I'm not going to be mean and not go. After all, even if she knows that I'm gay and that I like Tala, she's expecting me to come. Interesting isn't it? The one person that broke your heart is the one person you want to see on one of the happiest days of your life. I don't understand it. I guess it's not for me to, right? She had me give her a picture of me hanging out with Rei and Kain, as a birthday present she told me she would cherish it forever. Strange girl, I have to say that much.]
[Let's see in the past four days since my last entry...let's just say that it's been interesting. On the first note, can you believe what I did? Thinking back on it, I can't believe that I did it either. Well, maybe I should tell, right? Well, I know that if Rei reads my entry before I tell him, he's going to kill me for not calling and telling him the day it happened. Which happened to be my last entry. The day was okay my aunt found out that I'm making friends with Kai and Tala, giving me the whole 'they're bad influences on you' speech. Maybe they are bad influences on me. Because I lost my virginity to Tala that day.]
[Yes, yes, I know. Kain will cheer for that note when I get back and tell him. Rei will probably...who knows. He will probably worry that Tala wasn't too rough or something for my first time. I swear Rei has a mother hen complex when he wants to. Oh, but that's not the only thing that happened that day. I learned later that evening that Tyson finally confessed his feelings to Kai and he lost his also.]
[Funny isn't it how we seem so much alike when we aren't trying to be. So I guess now, they are officially a couple. I'm not sure what to say about Tala and myself. I mean, sure we still have sex, but there's still something missing with us. I know that I fell in love with him with little to no information about his past, but the more I'm with him, the more I want to know about him. He tells me it's not important. Maybe to him it isn't, but sometimes, his eyes seem so haunted for no reason. I want to be as close to him as I can before I leave, but he won't allow it.]
[At times he gets angry with me about asking. I know that he's bothered by it, but I just can't help it. Max's mom use to be his psychiatrist before he made her quit with some crazy with a gun, she told me that it would take time. I'm patiently waiting, but how much more time will be allowed for us before he finally says okay. The new school year starts August 13 and I will probably leave here around August 4 or 5 to be home in time for the new school year. So, does he expect that everything will be all right?]
[Is love really suppose to be this complicated? I really do love him, I don't know if he cares nearly as much as I do. Maybe he considers this just a summer fling that will pass. Ah, so now doubts are beginning to play in my mind. Don't most romances have them, especially first teenage loves? Damn hormones fucking with my head, let's just leave it alone for now. I hear Tyson calling me to come on.]
Adding the new entry to his journal, Kenny shut down the laptop just as Tyson came up the stairs. He was dressed in a pair of baggy dark blue pants held up with a belt. He also wore a long yellow, also baggy, short- sleeved polo shirt with the words south side printed on the front. On his head was his trademark red cap turned backwards. "Hey, Kenny, are you ready yet?"
"Yeah, I'm finished." The young man stood up from the bed, straightening out his tan cargo shorts that reached his calves. He wore a long, short sleeved, v-neck black t-shirt with the words east side written in red and silver lettering. The shirt was one of Tyson's but Tyson insisted that Kenny wear it. As usual his hair was in a ponytail, keeping it out of his eyes.
"Cool, let's get going."
"Where exactly is the party anyway?" Kenny asked, following Tyson out the room, down the stairs.
"Oh, it's just a short walk from here. I thought you knew that Jordan lives down the street from Aunt Hikari. Why do you think that she always appeared out of nowhere when you got up in the morning?" Tyson grinned.
"That does explain a lot of things," Kenny thought. "Emily already left?"
"Yep, or she would have stated that we better not get missing during the party?" Tyson remarked. The two young men shook their heads at the same time, which was funny really because they were becoming way too similar for their own good. Continuing on their way, they came up to Jordan's house maybe ten minutes later. It was a two-story house, much like many of the other houses in the town.
Outside standing on the porch near the little swing was Jordan talking with a guy with short green hair. He was built, as if he played football. Jordan was all grins as the male put his arm around her, leaning down to kiss her.
"Hey, Steve, mind doing that without an audience if you're going to kiss her. Some of us want to keep our sights," Tyson yelled to the male on the porch. Both him and Jordan jumped away from each other, while Tyson laughed. "Long time no see Emberlin. Trying to move in on Jordan, are we?"
"Tyson, hi!" Jordan said. "You brought Kenny! How are you, Kenny?"
"I'm fine, Jordan, Happy Birthday," Kenny said.
"Thank you! Oh, Kenny, I want you to meet my new boyfriend. His name is Steven Emberlin, but just call him Steve. Steve, that's Kenny, Tyson's cousin," Jordan said.
"Nice to meet you," the male said.
"Is Em and Mariah in there?" Tyson asked, indicating to the party that was going on inside.
"I lost sight of them both somewhere in there about five minutes ago. I think Johnny and Emily went to a corner to talk or something. Mariah and Lee, I have no clue about. You guys want to hang around with Steve and I instead of getting lost in that jungle," Jordan smiled.
"I think Steve wants to be alone with you for a while," Tyson teased.
"Steve doesn't mind sharing my attention with two of my great friends. Anyway Tyson, guess whose in there."
"Who?" Tyson frowned, wondering who Jordan had invited that he would possibly be interested in. "Someone I know well, or someone that I would rather not speak to?"
"Thinking about it, maybe she's someone that you would rather not talk to," Jordan said. "She was looking for you earlier, with every eager eyes when she discovered that Mariah was going out with Lee."
Tyson leaned against the porch railing while Kenny seated himself on the steps. Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, still frowning. Who in the world could it be? What girl did he rather not talk to that would look for him, and knew him? Just when Tyson was about to give up, the door to the house open, and a girl with short brown hair came out on the porch. Her brown eyes went over everyone there, before stopping at the blue haired male who was quickly backing up.
"Tyson!! There you are!" Kenny watched his cousin try to turn and take off down the road, but the brunette girl jumped on him, causing them both to fall in the grass. "How have you been Ty? I missed you so much!"
"Get off of me, you psycho!" Tyson struggled. "When did you get here?"
"This afternoon. I came for Jordan's birthday and to see you!" the brunette haired girl said. "Didn't you miss me when I was away? I heard that evil Mariah Shoran broke your heart, so I want to console you."
"I don't need consoling, now let me go!" Tyson said, managing to wiggle from underneath her. The male ran and hid behind Jordan and Steve. "Why didn't you tell me sooner Jordan! You're trying to kill me!"
"Tybie, don't be like that," the girl with brown hair pouted, getting up from the ground, brushing off her short mini skirt and short sleeved blouse.
"Don't call me that either," Tyson said. "I hate that name."
"But Tybie!" she whined.
"No!" Tyson shouted. "Anyway, I'm taken. You see that guy sitting on the steps, his name is Kenny I'm his love slave! So there, you can't have me!" Kenny, who was sitting and watching this little show, stared at Tyson with huge eyes. Tyson gave his cousin a pleading look to play along.
"You mean...you're with a man now?" The girl's eyes grew wide, staring at Kenny tearfully. The last thing that Kenny expected was for her to throw herself at his feet crying. "Please free Tyson from your spell! I know he's sexy and too irresistible not to have for your own, but I've been in love with Tyson forever and an eternity! I will do whatever you want if you will release Tyson from your servitude."
"Sorry, Hilary, but that's impossible. He made me swear to give my body to no other person but him. So, I will never be able to be yours," Tyson stated. "Isn't that right lover?"
"Eh...yeah..." Kenny said hesitantly.
"See, Hilary. So, you're too late. He even brought my virginity off line. I'm his forever. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry Tybie, I will find some way to battle his evil and free you! I will be back for you soon my love." The girl got up from crying at Kenny's feet to running back into the house crying. Afterwards, Kenny just stared at his cousin. He seriously didn't want to know, but then curiosity was a bastard.
"What in all of hell was that about?"
"Dude, you don't know how much you saved my life," Tyson sighed, flopping down on the steps with Kenny. "I owe you seriously."
"Mind telling me why I was pretending to be your master? And why I bought your virginity off the Internet? And why I made you promise me your body forever?" Kenny raised a brow.
"You've just met Hilary Linsner, Jordan's first cousin on her dad's side of the family," Steven said amusingly. "When she was younger, she followed Tyson everyone. As they grew older, she proclaimed to marry him. Tyson did everything in his power to get away from her, but to no avail."
"Then she moved away five years ago and I was safe...or so I thought. She kept popping up and wouldn't leave me alone!" Tyson shouted.
"Oh, I see," Kenny nodded. She was Jordan's family, that explained everything right there. "I guess I can forgive you, but I swore if you made me give you a kiss, I would have been scrubbing my mouth out for a month."
"Hey, that was only last resort if she didn't believe me," Tyson said, only to find Kenny giving him a glare. "Okay...I guess I wouldn't have tried that."
"Damn right you wouldn't," Kenny said.
"Kenny!" Jordan scolded. "I didn't know you had such a mouth."
"Sorry you had to hear that, but I think we will all agree that me kissing Tyson was out of the question from the start," Kenny apologized.
"I think I'm agreeing with Kenny on this one," Steve said.
"Hey, I will do whatever I need to prove my point," Tyson shrugged. Just as Kenny was about to say something, Kenny's parents drove up in their car. In the back seat was his Aunt Hikari. The car pulled into the driveway, the three adults getting out of the car. "Aunt Hikari, Aunt Atsuko, what's going on?"
"We were about to ask you if you had seen Kenny, but he's with you, that's good," Mrs. Shinoda said.
"Mom, what's going on?" Kenny had a bad feeling about this. Something was happening, there was no other reason they would come looking for him. Did they discover about his relationship with Tala?
"Your grandmother Hina on your father's side just went into the hospital. They say she was asking for us. We're heading back home as soon as possible. We came to get you so you can start packing for the trip."
"We're leaving now?" Kenny said. This was not happening...it couldn't be.
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Rimnerel: Yes! I'm evil! Yes, I'm ending the chapter here! Yes, I'm not updating for a few days! Why? Cause I'm way too busy to update this one. I plan to get the next chapter of Scars up tomorrow.
Kai: So this was the surprise that would cause someone to be a potent oleander. I know whom you're talking about too.
Rimnerel: Good, don't ruin it for everyone else then. Later everyone, until about Saturday or Sunday.
Johnny (rolling his eyes): Only because—(Rim clamps a hand over his mouth)
Rimnerel: Don't ruin it for the people that haven't read the last book yet! Okay, now where am I going with this one?
Tala: Back to Kenny and I perhaps?
Rimnerel: Oh yeah, right. Let's see, thanks to FREAK014, B. Tiamat Atardecer, russle, The-Dark-Fire-Elf, and HogoshaNoFumetsu for all your reviews. And sorry for making a certain someone choke on sandwiches, it wasn't my intention to do so.
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Kenny turned over on his side, watching as the male beside him fought to catch his breath. Kenny propped himself up on one elbow, looking into the male's flushed face. Tala turned his eyes to the male beside him, a smirk twitching in the corners of his mouth. The brunette allowed himself to be drawn closer once more, this time, only for a light kiss. When he pulled back, he brushed the damp strands of hair from the male's face.
"I think you overdid it," Kenny whispered.
"So," came a breathless reply.
"You're impossible," Kenny laughed, falling back to the pillows he was laying on earlier. His eyes went to the ceiling, staring it for a long time, thinking about what went on between them. Tala had been right, at first it had hurt, but eventually, because he trusted Tala, everything became better. Leading to...well...the lost of Kenny's virginity.
"What are you thinking about?" Tala finally said after catching his breath, propping himself up to look down at Kenny. His hand played in the damp brunette strands.
"A lot of things," Kenny replied.
"Like my sexual prowess in bed," Tala teased, leaning in to kiss Kenny's neck once more.
"Haven't you had enough yet?" Kenny inquired.
"Enough? What's that?" Tala grinned.
"You're trying to kill me aren't you?" Kenny exclaimed, though not bothering to push the male away from him.
"What? We've only done it three times by now," Tala said simply. "What's one more time to make things even?"
"You're crazy!"
"You make me this way," Tala stated, beginning to move his hand under the cover.
"I have to get home before they start sending hounds out to look for me," Kenny said, moving from out of the bed.
"You don't have to go back just yet. You could tell them you're staying over a friend's house. I'm sure they wouldn't mind," Tala murmured, trying to pull the male back in bed with him. Kenny playfully swatted the red head's hand away.
"I still have to eat and take a shower," Kenny protested. "I promise that we can do it again tomorrow. Now stop holding me hostage and let me leave." Kenny picked up his clothing from the floor, beginning to put it on. Tala flopped back down on the pillows. "And don't try to make me feel guilty because I don't."
"You really are heartless when you want to be, aren't you?" Tala joked, running his hand through his damp hair.
"No, I'm sensible. If I let you have your way all the time, I think I would be permanently tied to that bed where you could do what you want to me for as long as you could," Kenny smiled.
"Maybe," Tala thought. "Doesn't sound like too bad a deal."
"See. I'm going home now." Once Kenny was finished dressing, he went back over to the bed, leaning down and kissing the male. Only to have Tala pull him back down to the bed, kissing him passionately. If it weren't for the fact that there was a knock on the door, Tala would have probably stripped the male of his clothing and screwed him one more good time.
Kenny pulled back just as Doctor Tate walked in the room, stopping once she saw that the two young men were...well...with the sight of the clothing strewed all over the floor, the slightly rose tint on both male's skin, and Tala's hand reaching for the male's pants' zipper, they were either about to do something or had just finished. The woman suspected both theories. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"In fact Judy I was just about ready to—"Tala started.
"Tell me good-bye so I can go home," Kenny interrupted the sentence, moving from the bed. "I will see you tomorrow Tala."
"Fine, fine," Tala sighed, laying back down on the pillows. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Kenny left the room, followed by Doctor Tate. "Kenny, do you have a moment before you go home?" She needed to know something. The young man's answer would depend on whether or not Tala was really changing.
"I'm in no hurry, do you need something ma'am?" Kenny inquired, turning his eyes to look at her.
"You don't have to be so formal. Just call me Judy," she said with a smile.
"All right then, Judy."
"Kenny, I don't mean to be nosy but...did you and Tala?" Judy gave the young man a meaningful look when addressing the subject.
"We did," Kenny said.
"Was he rough with you?" she questioned.
"No. He told me that it would hurt for a bit, but he made sure that the pain eased. I felt really comfortable with him doing it. Are you implying that he might have raped me, or something close to that?" Kenny tilted his head to the side, thinking about it. Did Tala really have that bad a reputation that he was supposedly capable of raping someone?
"No, I'm not saying that he would rape you. I'm sure that he likes you a lot. He would never do anything like that, but sometimes he doesn't realize that he does things that could cause other people pain. He's grown up with so little empathy in his life that it's just natural to do things that he likes despite what other's feel about it. He's not a bad person don't think that because of what I just said. He's just a bit misguided," Judy smiled, hoping she didn't scare off the young man.
"I know. He's so much more than people think of him," Kenny voiced. "I sometimes look at him and wonder how people could have such a low opinion about him. I'm sure if they got passed the act he puts on, then they would really see what's there."
"You're right," Judy agreed. "But I doubt that they would."
"Can you answer me something, Judy?"
"What is it, Kenny?"
"My aunt told me that he and Kai went to a psychiatrist when they were younger, but they did something to make the psychiatrist quit. By chance, since you seem to hold no discrimination against them, were you their psychiatrist?" He looked up at the woman that smiled for a long minute before nodding.
"Yes, I was. I tried helping them as much as I possibly could, but there wasn't much I could do. I was still young and a bit experience when I got them. They were my first patients. If only I had stuck it out with them, I suppose I could have made more of a difference, but...when you have kids that play Russian roulette with a gun you only find out after nearly having a heart attack has no bullets, you would probably be like me."
"They did that?"
"Tala did. He was such a bright kid, but then...he was only a kid who did things that seemed...well, things kids could get away with. He had no idea that he would drive away those that he trusted," Judy sighed. "He hasn't told you any of this, has he?"
"No. I tried asking him about his past, but he told me that why do I need to know something that isn't important. He asked me whether or not that's the only way I could love him," Kenny stated.
"He used love?" The woman was surprised. In all of the time she has known Tala, she's never heard the male mention ever loving anyone, not even his own parents. It was a breakthrough, if he had in fact used the word.
"I suppose he's never said that about anyone? Not even when he talked about his parents? My aunt told me that they died when he was younger. Was he upset by their passing?"
"He didn't tell you anything about his family. It doesn't surprise me so much. If he is indeed falling in love with you, then that means that he will be less likely to tell you the truth. I should let him build up the courage to tell you. If you hear it from me, then it's not going to be worth much. He has to get over his own hill without my help," Judy remarked, crossing her arms.
"But there's still a possibility that he won't tell me ever, isn't there?" Kenny knew that the woman was counting on Tala making up his mind about his past, but he may never.
"Yes, but maybe you can change his heart. Open it back up. You should get home now before it gets dark," Judy advised. "And remember, no matter what you discover or don't, you should blame yourself for him not opening up. It takes time."
"I understand. I don't think I will forget that there are more important things than the past and knowing it. You always have memories of the present that will one day become the past, and the memories that you never found out, can be replaced by the memories that you made," Kenny grinned, heading out the door. The woman blinked, thinking about what he just said. She had a feeling that he would in fact open Tala's heart up.
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Tyson arched his back as something close to Kai's name came out his mouth, before it was muffled when Kai pressed his lips against the blue haired male's lips. With one last push, Kai went over that ledge with the male. Breaking the kiss to scream out Tyson's name before both collapsed into the grass, their breathing irregular. Tyson's arms were wrapped around Kai's neck, while the male lay against Tyson's shoulder. After a moment, Kai slid off the male, falling into the grass next to Tyson.
A light wind swept over their sweat coated, naked bodies. Minutes ticked away, before either decided to move. Tyson sat up, looking over at the water they were no more than a few yards away from. He closed his eyes, letting the wind caress his overheated body, cooling the flush from his skin.
"Tyson," Kai said, sitting up. The younger opened his eyes, staring over at the male with dual hair. Damn, he still looked sexy as hell no matter what. "Well?" The all too familiar wolfish smirk that Kai displayed rose to his lips.
"Well what?" Tyson said with a smile of his own.
"You know what I'm talking about," Kai said.
"No I don't," Tyson chimed playfully. "I think I'm suffering from a memory lost. What is it that I'm suppose to be addressing?"
"Okay you little smart ass, since you want to be like that," Kai said, pulling Tyson back into the grass and climbing over him. Tyson squeaked, as Kai pulled his legs up to his waist.
"What do you think you're doing, Kai?" Tyson flushed.
"I'm going to get a response out of you about how great a lover I am," Kai said. "You know, I have another round of battle in me."
"How can you? We just finished!" Tyson said, trying to pull away from the male.
"That's right, fight me love slave," Kai grinned wickedly, leaning in, brushing his lips against Tyson's. The male under him wiggled a bit before he succumbed to Kai's kiss. A hand brushed its way down Tyson's chest, down past his navel, to the inner warmth of his thighs.
"Kai," Tyson gasped, breaking the kiss.
"Are you going to say it, or will I have to make you scream my name again?" Kai murmured huskily. "You know I can do it. So what's it going to be lover?"
"Fine, if it means that I'm not going to be out here all night, you're the best in the world. Happy now?" Tyson said.
"And?" Kai said, stroking Tyson's thighs more.
"Mmm...and no one will ever be able to do what you can," Tyson said, closing his eyes as Kai licked the sweat from his neck and chest.
"And? Tell me what I really want to hear Tyson. Tell me that you're mine and mine alone," Kai whispered.
"I'm yours Kai," Tyson said. "I don't think I could forget you ever. Not now, not while I'm here with you like this. As long as you will be here for me, I will always be yours."
"Good, because I will never let you go," Kai said, moving from over Tyson to walk towards the water. "Now come on. It's getting late, we have time for a quick swim before I have to return you."
"Fine! I don't care if you don't want me to stay with you," Tyson said, getting up with a slight flush on his cheeks at the remark. Kai looked back at him, giving him another one of his killer stares. "Not like I really want to stay out here and let you tire me out anyway."
"Tire you out? I was the one doing all the work you little smart ass," Kai said, pulling Tyson towards the water and pushing him in. But not before Tyson grabbed his leg, causing him to fall in also. Both sunk momentarily before breaking to the surface. Tyson laughed as Kai glared at him only five percent mad at the male.
"Ha! That's what you get for saying that about me!" Tyson laughed, not realizing that Kai was looming in on him, until he was dunked under the water, then brought back up.
"Now what was that?" Kai inquired.
"That's not fair!"
"Was it supposed to be?" Kai said, wrapping his arms around Tyson, who was pouting. "You know you started this, so deal with it." Kai tried place a kiss on Tyson's lips, but the male turned his face away. "And now you're mad with me, typical."
"What's that suppose to—"Tyson turned his face back to Kai, only to have Kai kiss him. Tyson allowed, not really mad with the male, it was just sort of strange to be so carefree with the male. When Kai pulled back, Tyson stared up into those auburn eyes that flickered with happiness. "Kai..."
"Something wrong?" Kai noticed the change on Tyson's face, wondering what it was that the younger was thinking of.
"I just realized something," Tyson said.
"Which is?"
"You're completely different than what I'm use to. You're not sarcastic unless you're being playful, or you're not as intensely flirty as I'm use to. Nor are your eyes the same. Right now, it's like you're a whole new you that I'm with. Not the male that I'm so use to fighting or arguing with. What is it?" Tyson searched Kai's eyes, not sure what he was looking for.
"I'm different, huh?" Kai placed his forehead to Tyson's, closing his eyes with a short smile. "That's because I can finally let down my guard. I don't have to be aware of how I want to be around you because I now have your love. I can drop the act, because I'm not afraid anymore."
"Afraid? Of what?" Tyson inquired.
"You rejecting my true feelings for you. I've loved you for so long that I didn't know if you could love me in return. So, I bottled it away, the fear that loving you caused. That burning uncertainty and vulnerability you caused me to have when I was around you."
"Kai..." Tyson had no idea that Kai was...well, like anyone else. So, that bad boy image Tyson always saw was an act he put on so he could find out the truth, but eventually, it became too much for him, and he showed the true colors that Kai Hiwatari held. "I...didn't know..."
"No one knew. Not even Tala. He just thought I was playing around. Maybe for a while I did try to do that, but I could never forget how much I loved and admired you."
"You admired me?" Tyson was inspired. Never would he dream of the day that Kai would say he admired Tyson. There was always a small part of Tyson that admired the older boy, but this was news to him.
"Yes. You could draw people to you with a smile or a few words. You never hesitated in speaking your mind, and people liked you for it. Everyone loved you, and flocked to you naturally. There was a time I wanted to be just like you. To have them look at me with smiles, wanting to be around me." Kai's voice became thick, aware that he couldn't stop his words now.
"Kai?" Pulling back just a little, Tyson saw the tears from those closed eyes. Running down, gathering under his chin and falling. The dual haired male open his eyes, looking so painfully into the eyes of the one that he loved.
"I wanted my parents to love me like yours did. To notice me, to acknowledge me, just not to ignore me like this world has done for so long. I wanted to be loved so much that I started to grow bitter inside. I didn't care about anything, I could have died and no one would have cried."
"I'm here now, Kai," Tyson responded, reaching up, wiping away the tears. "I won't leave you. I promise I won't."
"Tyson." Kai allowed himself to be drawn into the younger male's arms. For the first time in maybe years since Tala's parents died, he felt that everything would be all right. Once he and Tala were able to leave this place, maybe things would straighten themselves out. He could always go visit Tyson since the male lived in a city now. On weekends he could spend them with Tyson until the male graduated, then he could be with Tyson more. Things could work, they really could.
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"Kenny, have you seen Tyson?" Emily asked coming in the room as Kenny finished dressing from his shower.
"No, I haven't seen him since this morning," Kenny said. "He hasn't come back yet? I thought he left with you, Mariah, Max, and Johnny this morning to pick out a present for Jordan."
"Well, he was with us for a while. Then he left, something about going to pick something up," Emily remarked. "Which was probably you."
"Don't look at me, I haven't seen him. He'll show up."
"So, what did you do today with that guy?" Emily folded her arms across her chest, a frown forming.
"You know, he isn't as bad as you think," Kenny announced.
"I still don't trust him. He caused so much trouble when we were younger. Just watch out for yourself. You're my cousin I don't want anything happening to you. Your heart is much too kind to be broken by a creep like that," Emily sighed.
"What do you mean—?"
"I heard you and Tyson talking one day when I was passing to go to bed. I didn't want to say anything about it, but I really want you to be careful. I mean, if you're going to explore your sexuality like this," Emily advised. "Anyway, a girl can spot a gay guy a mile away."
"That is so stereotypical," Kenny shook his head.
"Well it's true," Emily stated.
"Then you must have noticed Tyson by now also," Kenny smirked.
"What do you mean notice Tyson?"
"Since you can spot a gay guy a mile away, then you must have noticed that Tyson's sensors are blinking in the direction of my current interest's cousin's direction," Kenny simpered. "Wouldn't surprise me if that's who he's with now."
"You aren't serious!" Emily exclaimed.
"Why aren't I? I know for a fact that Kai's already kissed him."
"Okay, this is just pass my level of comprehension right now. I know that he was upset that Mariah picked Lee, but...he wasn't really that desperate to go after Kai! Next I'm going to find out that Ian's gay too."
"He's too annoying to be gay," came a voice that was walking into the room. Both Emily and Kenny turned their glances to find Tyson walking in the room. His hair was wet, while his clothes were just a bit grassy.
"Tyson Granger, where have you been?" Emily demanded.
"Swimming," Tyson remarked.
"Don't lie to me!"
"What are you my mother now? If you haven't noticed, she's dead. Anyway, why would I lie about going swimming? Don't you notice my hair's wet?" Tyson said, flopping down on his bed, but then decided to switch positions so he was on his stomach. "They haven't called for dinner yet have they?"
"No, mother and Aunt Atsuko went somewhere, they said that they would bring some food back when they returned. They took Ian with them, which leaves just us three for the time being," Emily said.
"Oh, that's even better," grinned Tyson.
"Okay, now fess up! Kenny just told me that you liked Kai Hiwatari. Is it true or not? You really aren't 'that' desperate to forget about Mariah are you?" Emily exclaimed.
"What do you mean 'that' desperate to like Kai?" Tyson's voice held a note of anger at the fact that his cousin was stating his boyfriend was the bottom of the barrel. For a second Tyson flushed, realizing what he just thought. Was Kai his boyfriend now? Well...he certainly didn't want just to have sex with Kai. For the first time in his life, he was seeing Kai in a different light.
"This is Kai Hiwatari we're talking about. He gets a hard-on at anything with two legs. You obviously can't expect his feelings to be different. He's been trying to get in your pants for years now. You're just only going to get your heart broken over the bigger creep than Tala."
"Hey!" Kenny interrupted.
"What? You guys are hopeless falling for jerks like them."
"Kenny..." Tyson said.
"Yeah, Tyson?" Kenny replied.
"I think I understand what you mean now. And currently, I'm taking great offense to what's she's saying. Think we should kick her out?" Tyson questioned.
"We could, or ignore her," Kenny suggested.
"Or both."
"That sounds like a plan."
"Hey, don't get mad with me! I'm just stating the truth. But if you two want to look like fools, then be my guests. I'll leave, just don't come to me cause I'm going to say I told you so and kick you both out my room," Emily huffed, leaving the room. Tyson turned his eyes on Kenny.
"Can I say something?"
"Go ahead," Kenny said.
"If I come pick you up again, and I hear that bed creaking one more time, I'm never going to be able to sleep again. I still can't get the images of what he was probably doing to you out of my head," Tyson shuddered. "Maybe it was a good thing Kai was there to stop me before I went in the room and went blind."
"You..." Kenny flushed.
"Please, don't say it. I'm having a hard enough time keeping the sounds from coming back," Tyson gagged.
"Did Kai help you with that problem?" A sly smile came to Kenny's face, seeing the flush that came to Tyson's face. "I had a feeling. So we're even on that level."
"I still don't like Tala just because I'm with Kai now. Though...I think...there's more to him. I saw a side of Kai today that I never knew. You were right, for so long I've been looking out of just one window. He told me some stuff about how his parents weren't there for him and that Tala's been the only person he's ever relied on, until now, with me. I never knew some of the stuff he told me, it just...blew my mind. Has Tala told you anything about himself?"
"No. He hasn't," Kenny said.
"You got the difficult cousin. The only way that idiot would tell anyone anything is if he had no choice," Tyson scoffed. "You would think he would be as sweet as Kai is, but he really is a demon."
"Tyson, I learned something today about him that I didn't know. He didn't tell me, Aunt Hikari told me, and Max's mother." Kenny stared at the wall as he sat back in his chair.
"Really? What was it?" Tyson noticed Kenny's eyes seemed distant, as if thinking of something. "Chief? What did you find out?"
"His parents died when he was six. No one in town knows what happened because the funeral was somewhere else. After his parents died, he and Kai began seeing the town's psychiatrist, which was Max's mom," Kenny spoke quietly.
"They're the reason Mrs. Tate decided to become a doctor. Man, that is serious."
"She told me that Tala might open up to me eventually. And he might not. I think he's afraid of letting people in. There's more to him than what I'm able to see. Like maybe his whole childhood kills his spirit when he mentions it. And you know how he broke his ribs. He told me that his uncle got mad with him and did it. He never told me why, but there was so much pain in his eyes over it." Silence settled between the two as each thought of what to say.
"So, he has skeletons in his closet that won't stay there," Tyson finally commented. "Well, if anyone can make that idiot open up, it's you. He's already beginning to trust you. I doubt he tells anyone other than Kai anything. And even though I don't like him, I can tell how much he likes you too. So...just be patient, we still have time before summer is over."
"You think it's going to be that easy?" Kenny inquired.
"Well...you still have almost a full month, I'm sure things will be fine. So just relax and enjoy what you have now," Tyson grinned.
"Well, seems someone getting some has enlightened them to the utmost," Kenny teased. "You're growing up Tyson, congratulations. Wait until I tell Kain and Rei about your awakening."
"Oh, wait until they find out you lost your virginity to a guy. Kain is going to flip out of his mind," Tyson smirked.
"Oh, I don't think he's going to have too much to tease me about, because I have an abundant amount of data on him and his new little hobby." Kenny's mind went back to Kain's confessions about what he and Rei.
"What do you mean Kain's new hobby? You mean he has a girlfriend!" Tyson sat up, gaping at his cousin. "I thought he said he was never going to get a girlfriend, only date as many girls as he could!"
"Oh, Kain didn't get a girlfriend, the opposite of that actually," grinned Kenny.
"He got a boyfriend! Dude, is this just the year of everyone turning gay? First Max and Zeo, then you, then me, now him, so who's the unlucky guy? I know that him and Michael have this big rivalry, did it turn into something more?" Tyson demanded. "Or was it that blond boy that hung around you guys?"
"Blond? No, this person isn't blond. In fact, you know them very well."
"I do?"
"Someone that you're always talking about," Kenny simpered.
"No way...you can't mean...Rei! Kain and Rei! That's just...damn...well I'll be damn, I didn't think those two would like each other. Well, I guess they won't have a problem with it then. Moving on, is there anyone else that's recently turned gay?" Tyson said, shaking his head.
"If I find out, you'll be the first to know." The two stared at each other then burst into laughter. This was indeed a very strange summer they found themselves in. How could it get any weirder than this?
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[July 11, 1999]
[Only ten minutes before I'm dragged to Jordan's birthday party. Yes, I know, I may have broken her heart, but I'm not going to be mean and not go. After all, even if she knows that I'm gay and that I like Tala, she's expecting me to come. Interesting isn't it? The one person that broke your heart is the one person you want to see on one of the happiest days of your life. I don't understand it. I guess it's not for me to, right? She had me give her a picture of me hanging out with Rei and Kain, as a birthday present she told me she would cherish it forever. Strange girl, I have to say that much.]
[Let's see in the past four days since my last entry...let's just say that it's been interesting. On the first note, can you believe what I did? Thinking back on it, I can't believe that I did it either. Well, maybe I should tell, right? Well, I know that if Rei reads my entry before I tell him, he's going to kill me for not calling and telling him the day it happened. Which happened to be my last entry. The day was okay my aunt found out that I'm making friends with Kai and Tala, giving me the whole 'they're bad influences on you' speech. Maybe they are bad influences on me. Because I lost my virginity to Tala that day.]
[Yes, yes, I know. Kain will cheer for that note when I get back and tell him. Rei will probably...who knows. He will probably worry that Tala wasn't too rough or something for my first time. I swear Rei has a mother hen complex when he wants to. Oh, but that's not the only thing that happened that day. I learned later that evening that Tyson finally confessed his feelings to Kai and he lost his also.]
[Funny isn't it how we seem so much alike when we aren't trying to be. So I guess now, they are officially a couple. I'm not sure what to say about Tala and myself. I mean, sure we still have sex, but there's still something missing with us. I know that I fell in love with him with little to no information about his past, but the more I'm with him, the more I want to know about him. He tells me it's not important. Maybe to him it isn't, but sometimes, his eyes seem so haunted for no reason. I want to be as close to him as I can before I leave, but he won't allow it.]
[At times he gets angry with me about asking. I know that he's bothered by it, but I just can't help it. Max's mom use to be his psychiatrist before he made her quit with some crazy with a gun, she told me that it would take time. I'm patiently waiting, but how much more time will be allowed for us before he finally says okay. The new school year starts August 13 and I will probably leave here around August 4 or 5 to be home in time for the new school year. So, does he expect that everything will be all right?]
[Is love really suppose to be this complicated? I really do love him, I don't know if he cares nearly as much as I do. Maybe he considers this just a summer fling that will pass. Ah, so now doubts are beginning to play in my mind. Don't most romances have them, especially first teenage loves? Damn hormones fucking with my head, let's just leave it alone for now. I hear Tyson calling me to come on.]
Adding the new entry to his journal, Kenny shut down the laptop just as Tyson came up the stairs. He was dressed in a pair of baggy dark blue pants held up with a belt. He also wore a long yellow, also baggy, short- sleeved polo shirt with the words south side printed on the front. On his head was his trademark red cap turned backwards. "Hey, Kenny, are you ready yet?"
"Yeah, I'm finished." The young man stood up from the bed, straightening out his tan cargo shorts that reached his calves. He wore a long, short sleeved, v-neck black t-shirt with the words east side written in red and silver lettering. The shirt was one of Tyson's but Tyson insisted that Kenny wear it. As usual his hair was in a ponytail, keeping it out of his eyes.
"Cool, let's get going."
"Where exactly is the party anyway?" Kenny asked, following Tyson out the room, down the stairs.
"Oh, it's just a short walk from here. I thought you knew that Jordan lives down the street from Aunt Hikari. Why do you think that she always appeared out of nowhere when you got up in the morning?" Tyson grinned.
"That does explain a lot of things," Kenny thought. "Emily already left?"
"Yep, or she would have stated that we better not get missing during the party?" Tyson remarked. The two young men shook their heads at the same time, which was funny really because they were becoming way too similar for their own good. Continuing on their way, they came up to Jordan's house maybe ten minutes later. It was a two-story house, much like many of the other houses in the town.
Outside standing on the porch near the little swing was Jordan talking with a guy with short green hair. He was built, as if he played football. Jordan was all grins as the male put his arm around her, leaning down to kiss her.
"Hey, Steve, mind doing that without an audience if you're going to kiss her. Some of us want to keep our sights," Tyson yelled to the male on the porch. Both him and Jordan jumped away from each other, while Tyson laughed. "Long time no see Emberlin. Trying to move in on Jordan, are we?"
"Tyson, hi!" Jordan said. "You brought Kenny! How are you, Kenny?"
"I'm fine, Jordan, Happy Birthday," Kenny said.
"Thank you! Oh, Kenny, I want you to meet my new boyfriend. His name is Steven Emberlin, but just call him Steve. Steve, that's Kenny, Tyson's cousin," Jordan said.
"Nice to meet you," the male said.
"Is Em and Mariah in there?" Tyson asked, indicating to the party that was going on inside.
"I lost sight of them both somewhere in there about five minutes ago. I think Johnny and Emily went to a corner to talk or something. Mariah and Lee, I have no clue about. You guys want to hang around with Steve and I instead of getting lost in that jungle," Jordan smiled.
"I think Steve wants to be alone with you for a while," Tyson teased.
"Steve doesn't mind sharing my attention with two of my great friends. Anyway Tyson, guess whose in there."
"Who?" Tyson frowned, wondering who Jordan had invited that he would possibly be interested in. "Someone I know well, or someone that I would rather not speak to?"
"Thinking about it, maybe she's someone that you would rather not talk to," Jordan said. "She was looking for you earlier, with every eager eyes when she discovered that Mariah was going out with Lee."
Tyson leaned against the porch railing while Kenny seated himself on the steps. Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, still frowning. Who in the world could it be? What girl did he rather not talk to that would look for him, and knew him? Just when Tyson was about to give up, the door to the house open, and a girl with short brown hair came out on the porch. Her brown eyes went over everyone there, before stopping at the blue haired male who was quickly backing up.
"Tyson!! There you are!" Kenny watched his cousin try to turn and take off down the road, but the brunette girl jumped on him, causing them both to fall in the grass. "How have you been Ty? I missed you so much!"
"Get off of me, you psycho!" Tyson struggled. "When did you get here?"
"This afternoon. I came for Jordan's birthday and to see you!" the brunette haired girl said. "Didn't you miss me when I was away? I heard that evil Mariah Shoran broke your heart, so I want to console you."
"I don't need consoling, now let me go!" Tyson said, managing to wiggle from underneath her. The male ran and hid behind Jordan and Steve. "Why didn't you tell me sooner Jordan! You're trying to kill me!"
"Tybie, don't be like that," the girl with brown hair pouted, getting up from the ground, brushing off her short mini skirt and short sleeved blouse.
"Don't call me that either," Tyson said. "I hate that name."
"But Tybie!" she whined.
"No!" Tyson shouted. "Anyway, I'm taken. You see that guy sitting on the steps, his name is Kenny I'm his love slave! So there, you can't have me!" Kenny, who was sitting and watching this little show, stared at Tyson with huge eyes. Tyson gave his cousin a pleading look to play along.
"You mean...you're with a man now?" The girl's eyes grew wide, staring at Kenny tearfully. The last thing that Kenny expected was for her to throw herself at his feet crying. "Please free Tyson from your spell! I know he's sexy and too irresistible not to have for your own, but I've been in love with Tyson forever and an eternity! I will do whatever you want if you will release Tyson from your servitude."
"Sorry, Hilary, but that's impossible. He made me swear to give my body to no other person but him. So, I will never be able to be yours," Tyson stated. "Isn't that right lover?"
"Eh...yeah..." Kenny said hesitantly.
"See, Hilary. So, you're too late. He even brought my virginity off line. I'm his forever. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry Tybie, I will find some way to battle his evil and free you! I will be back for you soon my love." The girl got up from crying at Kenny's feet to running back into the house crying. Afterwards, Kenny just stared at his cousin. He seriously didn't want to know, but then curiosity was a bastard.
"What in all of hell was that about?"
"Dude, you don't know how much you saved my life," Tyson sighed, flopping down on the steps with Kenny. "I owe you seriously."
"Mind telling me why I was pretending to be your master? And why I bought your virginity off the Internet? And why I made you promise me your body forever?" Kenny raised a brow.
"You've just met Hilary Linsner, Jordan's first cousin on her dad's side of the family," Steven said amusingly. "When she was younger, she followed Tyson everyone. As they grew older, she proclaimed to marry him. Tyson did everything in his power to get away from her, but to no avail."
"Then she moved away five years ago and I was safe...or so I thought. She kept popping up and wouldn't leave me alone!" Tyson shouted.
"Oh, I see," Kenny nodded. She was Jordan's family, that explained everything right there. "I guess I can forgive you, but I swore if you made me give you a kiss, I would have been scrubbing my mouth out for a month."
"Hey, that was only last resort if she didn't believe me," Tyson said, only to find Kenny giving him a glare. "Okay...I guess I wouldn't have tried that."
"Damn right you wouldn't," Kenny said.
"Kenny!" Jordan scolded. "I didn't know you had such a mouth."
"Sorry you had to hear that, but I think we will all agree that me kissing Tyson was out of the question from the start," Kenny apologized.
"I think I'm agreeing with Kenny on this one," Steve said.
"Hey, I will do whatever I need to prove my point," Tyson shrugged. Just as Kenny was about to say something, Kenny's parents drove up in their car. In the back seat was his Aunt Hikari. The car pulled into the driveway, the three adults getting out of the car. "Aunt Hikari, Aunt Atsuko, what's going on?"
"We were about to ask you if you had seen Kenny, but he's with you, that's good," Mrs. Shinoda said.
"Mom, what's going on?" Kenny had a bad feeling about this. Something was happening, there was no other reason they would come looking for him. Did they discover about his relationship with Tala?
"Your grandmother Hina on your father's side just went into the hospital. They say she was asking for us. We're heading back home as soon as possible. We came to get you so you can start packing for the trip."
"We're leaving now?" Kenny said. This was not happening...it couldn't be.
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Rimnerel: Yes! I'm evil! Yes, I'm ending the chapter here! Yes, I'm not updating for a few days! Why? Cause I'm way too busy to update this one. I plan to get the next chapter of Scars up tomorrow.
Kai: So this was the surprise that would cause someone to be a potent oleander. I know whom you're talking about too.
Rimnerel: Good, don't ruin it for everyone else then. Later everyone, until about Saturday or Sunday.